To the United States, the European Union and member states, and other donor countries

Methodology

I. Background

II. Legal and regulatory framework

Criminal law and the media

Licensing of the media and censorship

III. Arrests, prosecutions, and muzzling of journalists: 2001-2011

The Sa'da conflict

Secessionist movement in the South

The 2011 uprising

IV. Attacks on journalists since February 2012

Unlawful killing

Assaults and other abuses

Threats and harassment

Criminal defamation

Acknowledgements.

"Yemenis have enjoyed greater freedom of expression since President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi took office in February 2012. His government has eased censorship and allowed more public debate. Yet, this newfound freedom has been tempered by a rising incidence of attacks on journalists, bloggers, and others seeking to exercise their right to free speech. In the past, journalists were targeted by state authorities, but now they face attack from other quarters, including non-state groups and powerful politicians. The attacks range from threats and harassment to physical assault and, in one case, murder. In "A Life-Threatening Career," Human Rights Watch details 20 attacks on journalists throughout Yemen that occurred between February 2012 and May 2013. Instead of responding to attacks on journalists with strong words and serious investigations, Hadi's government has largely failed even to condemn them. And some journalists have been prosecuted for criminal defamation before special courts. Human Rights Watch calls on the Yemeni government to condemn all attacks on the media, carry out prompt, thorough, and impartial investigations of such attacks, and bring those responsible to justice. Without such measures, the gains in free speech seen since Hadi took office will be cut short, as journalists are driven to self-censorship out of fear of further and more serious attacks."--Page 4 of cover.